. >> discussion and in congress known as the green new deal and to guess join us serving as the environment energy policy senior fellow also from

the league of conservation voters serving with the government affairs senior vice president thanks for joining us. so to start off the conversation about your organization's background and to know your position on these issues. >> thanks for having me. a national nonprofit organization working to elect environmental champions too focused on climate change that is the problem of our time working with the national network of conservation partners across the country. >> are you backed by other means and is also backed by foundations and a variety of other supporters. >> the heartland institute is also a nonprofit organization we advocate for individual

freedom and liberty in all aspects of our lives including economic. >> is your nonprofit is it purely from supporters? . >> and donors they can take any form individuals are foundations very small amount from corporations. >> when it comes to the idea amongst new members of congress are there specific blueprints? . >> we are excited and we are thrilled by policy and energy and enthusiasm that we would bring to combat the climate crisis which has never been greater. in the effort to get to 100 percent renewable energy but as we were working with

our partners across the country to give communities the power we had more than 550 successful candidates that was committed to that to make real progress to settle down on the need for new clean energy economy to protect the "frontline" communities and create a transition with good paying jobs and begin to jumpstart the green infrastructure packet. >> are the specifics or an idea that is happening? . >> if the people were honest they would call it turn america into venezuela deal there are subsidies and fun

dating amenities for renewable energy but they also need to create a government run system with universal health care to overhaul the nation's health care system also promised employment into the private sector for every american who wants one and that opportunity the benefits but the reason why they would champion it because this legislation would transform the american economy and run economic freedom out of america when the economy is doing so well. >> some of those elements like the transition to 100 percent renewable energy within ten years would also curb transportation emissions building a smart grid and job guarantees these are elements that have been introduced before why would this be

successful? . >> these are goals and we look forward to the work moving forward to achieve those goals. but we are so excited because this new majority has a deep commitment to combat the climate crisis that clearly they voted for in the election that sends a clear message to support clean energy is good policy and politics the 235 democrats in the house that include champions and people who ran and also with common sense public health and environmental protection that is good for the economy protecting people from pollution that is why they ran

for office. or clean energy advocate so we have all kinds of champions we have leaders and veterans were just lake that the cia they understand the connection between climate security and national security. >> what are the larger issues? we may keep in mind we have had a deal for more than a decade where all these failed programs were expensive. right now the federal government we spend $10 billion every year on climate change programs. right now we are subsidies receiving more than all other

combined solar power has more photo one - - federal subsidies the power mandates in over half of the states we keep subsidizing failure in boosting failure renewable energy still cannot compete in the marketplace this new green deal takes the worst and throw more and more money into it. >>host: the conversation will continue with our guest if you want to talk about the new green deal. but ultimately you have to decide how things are paid

for. what is the most effective way? . >> we absolutely want to improve the economy and that's the beauty of those common sense solutions that now we see champions in congress talking about and also with this information we are hearing the fossil fuel industry is subsidized of $700 million per year why would we double down on those failed policies? why would we want more natural gas than renewable energy like wind and solar? america is all about energy innovation we have seen so much progress with the clean air act overwhelmingly passed with the bipartisan majorities in 1970 we could cut air pollution by 70 percent despite the president's best intentions for we have tripled

the economy during that time there is a role for the government to play in the private sector and of course, of course, they should pay. look at the cost to have a devastating impact in 2017 alone there are 2016 natural disasters costing $1 billion each this was $306 billion. >> we heard previous administrations say all of the above approach could be needed so what's wrong with the new clean energy ideas? . . . .

mr. van hollen: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from maryland. mr. van hollen: thank you, mr. president. first i want to thank my colleague from virginia, senator kaine, for bringing us together this evening on the floor of the senate to talk about the urgent need to end the government shutdown because the mounting toll